Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Wrentham's Dotty Celebrates 20 Years of Giving

Known as Dotty by generations of Wrentham Cub Scouts, Dotty Larsen was honored last month by Pack 131 for her two decades of service.

She was only going to help for one year. The Pack needed someone to serve the refreshments at its monthly meetings and Larsen was happy to help since her nephew was an active Cub Scout. The plan was for the job to be handed off to someone as he crossed over into Boy Scouts. Her nephew is now 31 and many years removed from his Cub Scout days, but Larsen stayed on and has been helping for 20 years. "My nephew was in Cub Scouts and someone said, 'Would you do the refreshments for the scouts every month?" Larsen explains. "They asked me to do it for a year. I just never left."

The Pack gathered for its November meeting where awards were handed out to scouts for their achievements, and Larsen was secretly added to the schedule. Citations were sent from U.S. Senator Scott Brown's Office, State Senator Richard Ross's office, and the Board of Selectmen. Larsen received a 20-year service pin from the Boy Scouts of America that she'll wear on her uniform. The Pack also gave her a special plaque thanking her while scouts, young and old, attended to honor her. Known for playing the part of Santa's elf, she was given a poster of her dressed in the costume and all the current Cub Scouts signed it. She currently has it hanging in her house and all the signatures of the scouts really make an impression on her. "Every little Cub Scout signed it," she said. "How's that for something?"

The milestone almost went unnoticed. Not a person to talk about her own achievements and never seeking the spotlight, the leaders of the Pack didn't even know until Den Leader Chris Rankin asked, "How long has Dotty been with the pack?" After some digging through records it was soon realized she was about to hit a major milestone. "We didn’t know it was Dotty’s 20th anniversary," said Diana Zeller, the Committee Chair for Pack 131. "That’s how Dotty is. She doesn’t want the recognition. She didn’t say anything."

Larsen still serves the refreshment and is also the Pack's treasurer. The Pack's leaders were able to plan her award secretly since most of the work was done on email and she doesn't use a computer. "They kept emailing back and forth," Larsen says laughing. "They had a great time."

While Larsen's volunteering with the Pack started 20 years ago, she's not the first in her family to dedicate her time to scouting. Her mother was a den mother for years long after her own son left scouting. Her father also served on the Cub Scout Committee. "It runs in the family," she says.

When asked why she's still helping out the Cub Scouts, the answer is clear. The scouts. Today as she walks around town she might not remember their names, but she can tell when a scout or former scout recognizes her. Their eyes light up and they give her a smile or a wave. "I love the kids," she says. "Their eyes just sparkle when they see me. I know when a Cub Scout is looking at me."

A life-long Wrentham resident, Larsen still lives in the home in which she was born. For years she drove a cab around town, and later took a job at Wal Mart where she still puts in three days a week. Not a person to stay still, she works a few hours at the Town Hall, she's active with the Senior Center and works Thanksgiving and Christmas time at the Wrentham Food Pantry. Recently, she started spending two Fridays a month at the Purrfect Cat Shelted in Medway. She also dons the elf costume for the Town's annual tree lighting.

Zeller says Larsen bring so much to the Pack. Her years of service provide continuity that keeps the Pack moving forward. She's there to help new leaders but, more importantly, she is there to help the kids of Wrentham. "She is a very giving person," says Zeller. "She means the world to us. She has been the driving force to keeping this Pack alive."

Larsen has no plans on slowing down and will keep serving the refreshments to Wrentham Cub Scouts. "I love it," she says. "I just enjoy it. It's better to give than to receive."

Comments

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Dotty worked for my Dad at Marino Oil for years. She is a wonderful person. It was an honor to have her at my wedding. It is nice to see her recognized for one of the many, many wonderful things she has done in and for the town or Wrentham. When we were kids, and Dad got called out to a service call, we could count on Dotty the cab driver to get us home!

Congratulations Dotty! I have many fond memories as far back when Dotty drove me and other 5 years olds to the "Little Red School House" in Sheldonville in 1964. Dotty worked for my dad at the Regional Pharmacy deliverling presciptions to our customers. Dotty has been a family friend for years. Just mentioning Dotty's name brings a smile to your face. Congratulations again from Paul Marcelino and Family.

There are no posters or fancy documents that relay the value of a Dotty Larsen. She is a very special, unique, wonderful human being. She is the standard by which communities are deemed successful. It is a great honor to just say that I know her. She was an important part of our family, and as such, we were privey to how proud she was of her town and how protective she was of her immediate family. Paul Marcelino hit on point-She is Wrentham! Congrats to the Cub Scouts-You got it right. Dotty, you are the greatest...Joe senior

If you want to know anything at all about Wrentham, just ask Dottie. She truly is Wrentham. Her stories are so interesting. Dottie helps us out in the office, and we truly appreciate having her come in and dig right in. It is so helpful and enjoyable having Dottie help us. If you can't find Dottie, you can be sure that she is at one of her many volunteer activities. Thank you, Dottie.